This image of suitcases filled up with money allegedly found stashed in former Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo’s residence are going around social media.

A specimen image of 100 Brazilian Reais, similar to the ones in the suitcase above.

The dark side of social media is that in moments of great excitement and confusion, like Zimbabwe is going through, grapevine becomes the main source of information. People trying to play lead in the ‘attention economy’ create stories and paddle them as ‘latest’, typically for likes and shares, regardless of the potential harm. With very limited official sources of information, a lot of people are depending on social media, WhatsApp, Facebook, and twitter. So, the extend and impact of misinformation is far reaching the giggle and gratification from likes.

Social media platforms are unfortunately vulnerable to mistruths either shared in innocence or with malicious intend to add to the confusion. Over the past few days several stories have been circulated that have turned out to be false or unverified. Such stories as Grace Mugabe having left the country for Namibia, or the alleged photos of a severely beaten Jonathan Moyo, among others. These stories, including the whereabouts of Jonathan Moyo or Kasukuwere have not yet been confirmed. This has not done much but add to the anxiety.

Today, images of suitcases filled up with money allegedly found stashed in former Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo’s residence are going around social media. In some cases, just an image of what is claimed to be $10 million, or $40 million depending on the source, and in other cases a photo grid with Zimbabwe bond notes and the suitcases.

On closer look, the money in the suitcases is clearly not Zimbabwean bond notes, South African rand, or US dollar, the major currencies used in Zimbabwe. The images are from one of the “Lost Treasure” operation raids conducted by Brazilian police in early September. Stories featuring those photos appeared in Brazilian media and in Bloomberg and BBC, among others.

Cumulative effect of rumors and misinformation could have serious implications especially in such times of heightened emotions. With all the questions still lingering: What will happen to Mugabe?; Who is in charge?; What will happen next; Are the elections still on? etc. It is better to look for verified or dependable sources of information than anything that shows up on social media. Importantly, while people would rather churn out ‘news’ and ‘latest’ it is rather wiser to verify the sources.

]]>What My State of the Nation Address (SONA) Would Have Sounded LikeLeadershipPoliticsZimbabwePan ProjectThu, 27 Aug 2015 09:37:51 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/8/27/what-my-state-of-the-nation-address-would-have-sounded-like52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:55ded5d6e4b08a3733447a7eOur Great Nation is in distress, the economy is shrinking, people are
losing their jobs and livelihoods in-masse, we have seen FDI levels
decline, our lenders have no faith in our habitual inconsistent policies,
over 90% of our budget goes towards sustaining a bloated cabinet and civil
service while we are not making an meaningful investments towards
infrastructure and social services, corruption is rampant and we have lost
faith in our justice system to curtail this evil. Fellow citizens our
problems are many and we all know them. Therefore I propose the following
measuresBy Takawira Kapikinyu

A meme showing the level of 'helplessness' and uncertainty after the much anticipated SONA in Zimbabwe.

Sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who have persevered for the last 15 plus years I salute you for your patience and bravery and would like to thank you for being there for your country even though the leadership has taken you for granted. Our Great Nation is in distress, the economy is shrinking, people are losing their jobs and livelihoods in-masse, we have seen FDI levels decline, our lenders have no faith in our habitual inconsistent policies, over 90% of our budget goes towards sustaining a bloated cabinet and civil service while we are not making an meaningful investments towards infrastructure and social services, corruption is rampant and we have lost faith in our justice system to curtail this evil. Fellow citizens our problems are many and we all know them. Therefore I propose the following measures that we have to take as a nation in-order to move forward, grow our economy and reclaim our rightful place.

Cut the presidential salary and allowances to a token $1 per year. The president is a servant of the people and the most important factor is love for one’s country not money. The privileges that come with being a president are way too many therefore a $1 salary is befitting. We will have only one vice president with immediate effect. Presidential travel will be limited and delegation will be limited to 20 officials.

Trim cabinet and the privileges that accompany such positions; Fellow citizens there is no doubt we have a bloated cabinet that serves little purpose, therefore we will trim it to only 15 ministers with no deputies. Permanent Secretaries will act in the absence of the substantive ministers. Directors, deputy directors and service chiefs who have reached retirement age will be relieved of their duties and get their pensions. Heads of parastatals will have to reapply for their jobs on a competitive basis and go through parliamentary approval and sign new Results Based Management Contracts. Their salaries and allowances will be made public. Any citizen qualified is encouraged to apply to serve the nation.

Cut the size of parliament to 150 Members of Parliament and abolish the Senate, proportional representation and non-constituency members of parliament. We cannot afford the current number of legislators we have as they are draining our resources with little results to show for it. We are a small country to have such a large legislature. Any member of parliament appointed to cabinet forfeits their position. This will give them enough time to devote to their new role.

We will reduce the size of our civil service through the following measures;

Retire all civil servants who have reached retirement age.

Give an option to those who benefitted from the land reform program to choose either to still be in the civil service or concentrate on farming

We will conduct an audit of all civil servants and weed out ghost workers

All civil servants will sign Results Based Management contracts

The economy:

We are to re-engage with the international community, International financial institutions and other creditors. We are seeking a payment and interest rate suspension for two and half years for us to be able to first realign and grow our economy and invest in infrastructure. Under current conditions our debt level is unmanageable.

We are negotiating for the removal of sanctions and a resumption of normal relations with Europe and the USA.

We are abolishing the 51% policy in the mining and manufacturing sectors to 20%. Mining companies are given 3 years to build necessary infrastructure for value addition and beneficiation for the minerals. 60% of all subcontracting in the mining sector should go to local companies in-order to give our local entrepreneurs a chance to benefit. Miners and manufactures are to invest 30% of their proceeds within the country tax free or face a 30% tax if they wish to repatriate.

All diamonds are to be mined, processed and polished within the country. Modalities for the ownership will be agreed with the private sector through a social contract.

All new investors investing at least US$50 million/creating permanent employment for at least 200 people and paying the minimum wage will be taxed a lower corporate tax and if they are to invest in rural areas they will have an added incentive of lower 10 year fixed lower water and electricity tariffs.

Local agricultural supplies manufactures will get government guaranteed loans to upgrade their factories and be able to meet international standards and supply local demand.

While the parliament passed the RBZ Debt Assumption Bill, it is hereby revoked. We cannot overburden our already taxed people to pay for what a few benefitted from, therefore my people I task the RBZ within 30 days to publicly avail the list of beneficiaries showing what each person got and track each individual beneficiary who got equipment worth over US$1,500 and ask these individuals to come up with a repayment plan. A special fund will be created for this money to be used to give loans for agricultural inputs to small scale and communal farmers at concessionary rates.

Government ministries, agencies and parastatals are to procure 70% of their vehicle fleet from local assemblers. There will be a freeze in the procurement of luxury vehicles and a schedule for such vehicles will be published. Also 80% of government procurement shall be done locally.

We intend to privatize our National Airline and the government will have a minimal role in the airline.

The ban on second hand clothes shall remain in place. Our local clothing manufacturers are suffering because of cheap imports, they employ many people and are a source of our revenue that we use in education and social services therefore need to be protected.

Second hand car imports have flooded our country, it is prudent to recognize that our young people cannot afford some of the locally assembled new cars but we also have to balance that with the need to grow our economy and protect the environment, therefore we shall allow the importation of second hand cars which are not more than 4 years old. We will also allow Rapid Mass Transit Systems in our cities to allow reliable transport.

We shall dualize our roads and rebuild our rail system through a Build Operate To Transfer (BOTT) system where local companies will have a contribution share ratio stake.

Corruption and Rule of Law;

We are aligning all the laws to the current constitution and parliament has 100 days to do so.

The Prosecutor General, Attorney General, Police Chief, Anti-Corruption Commission have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect, parliament has 60 days to approve their replacements. The new chiefs will have 30 days to put in place and outline their plans to tackle corruption, rule of law and restore confidence in our justice system.

All those who corruptly gained wealth through abuse of office, embezzlement of funds, unscrupulous land deals are urged to come forward and give up 60% of this wealth within 30 days or face arrest and forfeiture. Any current or former public servant with a net worth of US$500, 000 must come forward and account the source of their wealth.

All public servants and their families have to declare their personal wealth each year.

ZEC has been disbanded and will be replaced and composed of people with integrity and who reflect the aspirations for free fair and credible elections. With that said the Registrar General has also been relieved of his duties.

Army and intelligence chiefs must choose between partisan politics or to protect and serve the nation.

We are abolishing POSA and all arbitrary laws and detentions of citizens who freely express themselves. The law Society, Civil Society Organizations and responsible government agencies are to work together and find common ground

Police are reminded that the rights enshrined in our constitution are fundamental and should be respected, therefore all police officers new and serving will undergo human rights training. Civil society is encouraged to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice to design the curricular for this effort.

Local authorities shall make their own by laws without the interference of government.

Education: It is no doubt that our education sector which was once the envy of many is now failing our youth, therefore the following measures are proposed;

20% of our annual budget will go towards education, this will involve the redesign of the curricular, training of teachers, resourcing our schools. We will review what is still relevant in the Nziramasanga Commission Report and implement.

We will restore student grants for students to be able to afford higher education

There shall not be any government scholarships to study abroad unless if it is for essential skills that our local institutions do not have the capacity to teach and are necessary to the government. We shall resource our institutions to the best of our ability and invest in the future of our country.

We will allocate resources towards youth entrepreneurship training and universities shall run extra programs and courses for youth in vocational schools.

We shall respect the right academic freedom. We recognize the concern that the late esteemed Professor Walter Kamba highlighted in his last address at the University of Zimbabwe, Government hand in academic institutions should be minimal.

Teachers’ salaries and bonuses will be based on performance of students in exams.

Health: We recognize the dire state of our health sector, we have few specialists and professionals left. The government is working on incentives for those in the health sector including making available the resources they need to do their work, giving them salaries is not enough. Therefore all Doctors and Nurses Unions are given 30 days to come up with proposals for how we can improve the health sector. The Health Services Board shall have a quota for Nurses and Doctors Union members.

Impending Drought and Hunger in the Country: Fellow citizens while we recognize the effects of weather and climate change, we cannot keep blaming Mother Nature for our problems, we must adapt. We have had incompetent people as ministers, they have been relieved of their duties. While we will do our best to help, we need more outside help as soon as possible to avert hunger, we do not have enough resources and we call upon the international community to assist in stocking our grains. In the meantime we will also start planning for the coming rainy season and give support to our farmers.

Lastly I call all those who call Zimbabwe home, Friends of Zimbabwe far and wide to come together and support the rebuilding efforts. It’s not an easy road ahead, some may not live to see the benefits but we shall leave a legacy for our children. There is no entitlement in Zimbabwe, we all deserve a fair share of the cake. God Bless Zimbabwe and its people.

Yours Truly,

Takah

Takah is a humanitarian aid professional focusing on emergency and post conflict response. He has worked for various organizations dedicated to humanitarian aid in Africa and around the world. His main focus is refugees, displaced people and gender issues. His passion is to help Africa realize a better peaceful and equitable path to development. He is a holder of Sociology and a Masters in Rural and Urban Planning degrees from the University of Zimbabwe, and is finishing his second Masters in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University’s Heller School (USA). He enjoys traveling and is a self-taught photographer.

]]>What My State of the Nation Address (SONA) Would Have Sounded LikeYouth and The Bondage of an Unquestioned TraditionChangeLeadershipPoliticsZimbabwePan ProjectWed, 12 Aug 2015 22:53:06 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/8/12/youth-and-the-bondage-of-an-unquestioned-tradition52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:55cbb604e4b053c0310db49fThe term ‘youth’, sometimes used interchangeably with ‘youths’, has been
used within a wide and elusive range of meanings in Zimbabwean society. In
the domestic and social realm, ‘the youth’ implies children. In political
party doctrine, ‘youths’ are the confrontational and mobilising arm that
has little role in decision-making platforms. In police and security terms
‘youths’ denote a collection of rowdy touts who are moved by indiscipline
and violence; a population sector which the police have to confront with
little remorse.This article is based on a long article titled Shouting to No One in a Vacuum:Mechanisms of Exclusion, Disempowerment and the Missing Voices of the Youth in Zimbabwean Politics. It was first published in 2010 in Political Participation in Zimbabwe, edited by David Kaulemu.

Members of the audience at a Zimbabwe Youth Festival event in Mtoko Zimbabwe.

The bondage of an unquestioned tradition

Participation of young people in politics remains peripheral and tokenistic. The complex regime that governs the perception of politics, power, leadership, governance and decision-making in Zimbabwe is thoroughly woven around a strong socio-cultural tradition that relates authority, power and leadership to age. It is borrowed from a deep-rooted patriarchal tradition which places fathers as figure heads of families and chiefs while kings are considered ‘natural’ rulers. This culture of fathers and rulers has found its way into modern politics: political leaders are treated as fathers who are, by some sort of divine ordinance, in control. They are fathers who, instead of leading, rule. The political participation of the youth in such an environment has automatically been reduced to that of children, subjects and servants who by 'fate' are expected to obey their fathers and serve their rulers with extreme subordination. Young women, like their mothers, are expected to occupy nothing but the kitchen and to bear children.

Young people are expected to take orders and produce results and to be accountable to their elders, not the reverse. Any act of assertiveness and enquiry on transformative possibilities is an act of insubordination tantamount to treason. This notion is effectively implanted in the conscience of the entire society where, from primary socialisation, the balance of power and leadership has more to do with age than merit. Young people nurtured in such a culture can do nothing but adapt the status quo as the only truth; they cannot make political decisions because they are young. The culture becomes so factual and instinctive that even when menial political responsibilities are thrown at them, young people seriously believe they cannot take up positions of authority nor make significant political decisions, thus ignorantly granting authority to the elderly.

The political context and meaning of the terms ‘youth’ and ‘participation’

Young people are treated with suspicion and contempt regardless of the nobility of their sentiments and contributions to national development. The crop of young people born after the liberation struggle, who constitute more than half of the population, have been derogatorily branded as ‘born frees’ or amafikizolos (literally, ‘just arrived’). Both terms meant to reflect the youth’s lack of knowledge and experience of the liberation war. The same attitude has been adopted to justify the exclusion of youth from critical leadership and decision-making positions where young people have been accused of lacking in capacity.

The term ‘youth’, sometimes used interchangeably with ‘youths’, has been used within a wide and elusive range of meanings in Zimbabwean society. In the domestic and social realm, ‘the youth’ implies children. In political party doctrine, ‘youths’ are the confrontational and mobilising arm that has little role in decision-making platforms. In police and security terms ‘youths’ denote a collection of rowdy touts who are moved by indiscipline and violence; a population sector which the police have to confront with little remorse. In economic and human development platforms ‘youth’ is synonymous with immature and undeveloped persons. They are the able-bodied labour-force which has to toil, toss and turn for their employers regardless of their potential to be business-owners and employers if given enough capital, infrastructural and legal support.

A student activist protesting, against the continued detention of a group of academics and civic society leaders of charges of treason, in front of the Harare magistrate's court in 2012

In governance, ‘the youth’ are treated as lacking experience, bookish freshers who have nothing to share but everything to learn. In social activism, ‘youths’ are the needy partners who are often driven by excessive and misguided passion that will soon die down with experience and frustration. In religious circles, particularly in churches, ‘youths’ are generally the energetic elements that sing in praise-and-worship teams, help with cleaning the church, brave the harsh weathers in crusades and outreaches, and do little, if any, preaching in the church. The youth remain treated as that segment of the population that is violent, unruly, undisciplined and underdeveloped. Equally appalling is the use and meaning of ‘participation’ in socio-economic and political development terminology and practice in Zimbabwe. It has come to be a catch-all term, and almost fashionable, so that development workers, beneficiaries, social and political leaders have used it loosely to suggest anything that suits their needs.

The political participation of youth in Zimbabwe from the days of the liberation struggle has been minimal and limited to menial tasks such as mobilisation. The critical need for participation is mistakenly minimised to idealistic considerations as human rights or the desire to undo despotic rule , rather than developed to an understanding of its inherent power as means for articulating genuine needs and satisfying them through self-reliance and mass mobilisation

Ahoy: Scenes and Songs From Zimbabwe A montage of of various clips from Harare. The activists are fighting the system that has been in control for the past 35 years.

Way to go

Even as it is generally agreeable that youth are the future – as in the old adage, 'youth are the leaders of tomorrow' – their role in the present is similarly important. It has a bearing on what they become in the future. As a call to sanity and the building of sustainable institutions, participation of young people should be seen beyond the mere self-serving tendencies of current politicians, it is rather a ‘social function which leads to stronger public policy and better governance.

The participation models must move from tokenism and ad hoc nature which undermines the importance of young people, to creating platforms for policy-makers to engage young people.This should come with the liberalisation of youth development in ways that provide space for other diverse players in the sector to make their contributions. Where there has been involvement of young people, the approaches should become more participatory, inclusive and meaningful -with increased funding and capacity development for youth organisations. Investing in youth education should be considered a key empowerment tool, backed by an ongoing critique and analysis of the quality of education and character of the curricula. It is important for the policy to re-direct youth development by redefining youth, taking into account the heterogeneous nature of young people and gender inclusion in the concerns and priorities of the policy.

Issues of youth participation have been relegated to secondary concern that requires no emergency attention as the country claims to be grappling with a political crisis and a collapsing economy. The political landscape remains narrow and limited in its scope. As long as Zimbabwe’s political debate remains focused on a binary discourse based on political affiliation, and with limited freedom of thought and speech, young people's voices on effective political participation unfortunately remain a loud shout in a vacuum.

In the final analysis, the legacy that the present can leave for the future is a well- developed person capable of adapting to the reality of tomorrow. It is imperative for policymakers to start developing the youth for tomorrow rather than building tomorrow for the youth. Where youth voices shout, they must be heard and supported rather than stonewalled. That would certainly remove the current vacuum that has left many young people voiceless, apathetic, disempowered, underdeveloped and their voices well distanced from politics.

]]>Youth and The Bondage of an Unquestioned TraditionUniting or Dividing the Country?- Revisiting Nigeria's 2015 General ElectionsAfricaElectionsPoliticsTenford ChitananaMon, 08 Jun 2015 18:23:32 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/6/7/nigerian-elections-uniting-or-dividing-the-country-revisiting-the-2015-general-elections52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:55749e38e4b0c5ac0277e48cA country which has its survival threatened by the vicious terrorist group,
Boko Haram, facing economic woes, high rate of unemployment, massive
infrastructural decay, and corruption challenges should now realise that it
is impossible to overcome all these challenges while still dwelling on the
biases resulting from ethnicity and tribalism as old as the nation. For the
country to really take centre stage in African and world affairs, it needs
to settle its internal matters which are generally hinged on the lack of
unity among various ethnic groups.By Lucius Ndimele

The Nigerian general election has come and gone, history was made, democracy strengthened, and a new ruling party born. True enough, only a few of the general Nigerian population expected the presidential election to be as peaceful as it turned out to be. Many saw the election as the final straw that would break the camel’s back. This fear was boosted by a report by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States Government in 2006, which predicted that Nigeria would breakup by the year 2015. The actions of the dreaded Boko Haram did little to quail those fears. Prior to the election, there were multiple threats of war coming from several ethnic based groups backing their respective presidential candidates, to those groups, losing is not an option. To many, it was just a matter of time.

Now that the election has come and gone, all the pre-election fears of all hell breaking loose have been put to bed, and the country looks more united than ever. But how true is this postulation?

The recent voting pattern across the country have shown a sharp division along ethnic lines, which have been in existence since 1960. It is shocking to state the truth that after 100 years of existence, and 57 years of independence, the country is still grappling with the issue of ethnicity and tribalism.

In the just concluded presidential election, the South-Eastern part of the country gave the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, and the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan over 2.4 million votes compared, to 198,248 votes for the candidate of the chief opposition, All Progressive Congress General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) while the South-Southern part of the country where the former president hails from gave Goodluck Jonathan over 4.5 million votes compared to the 418,590 votes offered to General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). That is to say that the President (Buhari) did not get up to a million votes in 11 states of the South-East and South-South combined. The core North (excluding the middle belt) where General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) hails from, and where he enjoys a god-like persona gave him over 10.5 million votes which is approximately 70% of the total votes he won in the election while in contrast they gave Goodluck Jonathan just over 2.4 million votes.

A former Niger-Delta militant, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, says with the defeat of Goodluck Jonathan, he and other militants may be forced to return to the creeks. Asari-Dokubo, who hails from the same state as Jonathan, said the voting pattern showed that the South-West and the North ganged up against the South-South and South-East geo-political zones. The ex-militant said in a statement by his spokesperson, Rex Anighoro that it was unfair that the minorities were being emasculated by the majority ethnic groups. Femi Aribisala in one of the interviews he granted to one of the media outlets noted that President Jonathan’s defeat was as a result of a conspiracy against the South-South.

Erstwhile, many pundits have lambasted the South-Southerners, and South-Easterners for voting along ethnic lines and against the nations interest. The South-East which is over 95% comprised of Igbo have come under heavy attacks from several analysts with many fearing that the south east has lost its national political relevance due to their voting pattern in the just concluded polls. While some insinuating that they should be punished as a result of their voting preference.

But the history of ethnicity in the country’s politics was birthed by the country’s heroes of independence. Prior to independence, the three existing parties, the NPC, NCNC, and AG, all served regional interests. While the NPC led by Ahmadu Bello, represented the Fulani/Hausa dominated northern interest, the NCNC led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the A.G led by Obafemi Awolowo served the interest of the Igbo dominated eastern and Yoruba dominated western regions of the country respectively.

Though the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) have repeatedly assured that no section of the country will be neglected as a result of their pattern of voting, they have to do quite more to minimise the level of ethnicity, by nationwide re orientation, starting from the primary schools, and religious outfits. Also racially induced remarks or sermons should not be treated with kids’ gloves.

A country which has its survival threatened by the vicious terrorist group, Boko Haram, facing economic woes, high rate of unemployment, massive infrastructural decay, and corruption challenges should now realise that it is impossible to overcome all these challenges while still dwelling on the biases resulting from ethnicity and tribalism as old as the nation. For the country to really take centre stage in African and world affairs, it needs to settle its internal matters which are generally hinged on the lack of unity among various ethnic groups. As it is well known, a house divided against itself cannot stand.

President Goodluck Jonathan by conceding defeat might have saved the country from a civil war, it is now left for the incoming president to end the existing one.

Lucius Ndimele, a poet and writer is the author of the poetry collection 'The Wandering Voice'.

]]>Uniting or Dividing the Country?- Revisiting Nigeria's 2015 General ElectionsZimbabwe’s Refugees: Whither to return?South AfricaZimbabweMigrationTenford ChitananaFri, 10 Apr 2015 11:48:12 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/3/19/zimbabwes-refugees-whither-to-return52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:550ae3bee4b0c5557aa59882As the chances of the Zimbabwe's economic recovery thin away, the political
uncertainty builds up, and the attacks on foreign nationals build up, the
possibility of being forced to return home grows. They (Zimbabweans in
SouthAfrica) might have to brave the threats of expulsion and xenophobic
attacks with the hope that 2018 elections bring something better.By Tenford Chitanana (This article was originally intended for a different publication)

The future of Zimbabweans in South Africa hangs in limbo following last year’s amendment of the South African Immigration Act of 2002 and the growing incidents of violence against immigrants.(I had hoped that this would be on top of the agenda during President Mugabe's state visit to South Africa). Even though the situation in Zimbabwe is not as desperate as it was in 2008, it is neither as rosy as life was in the early 90s. The looming prospects of having to go back to a slowly crumbling political economy is invoking memories of the horrid journeys many Zimbabweans took over the past 15 years.

Downtown Capetown

At the peak of Zimbabwe’s economic and political woes from 2005 to 2009, Zimbabweans fleeing economic melt down, political persecution and a collapsing public system poured into the neighboring country’s borders in their millions. Zivanai Mungwiniri and Welcome Shaba are just two of nearly two million Zimbabweans in South Africa, a conservative estimate made in 2008 by Southern African Migration Project (SAMP).

Their separate journeys into SouthAfrica were tough but necessary sacrifices, microcosmic of what many people went through. Welcome was studying Agronomy at a university in Zimbabwe. The collapse of the government stipend for students and the ailing economy made it impossible for him to sustain himself while continuing his studies. Zivanai had been teaching Mathematics at a then recently set up school, catering for the kids of thousands of reeled peasant farmers. Many of his students would drop out of school on daily basis and cross over to South Africa.

“Within a few months the dropouts would come back with money and food for their parents. I had nothing at the time. My monthly salary was less than a dollar. I couldn't even afford to go home for the August holidays in 2008”, Zivanai recounts. Shortly after these experiences, he teamed up with a friend to begin a 700km journey to Pretoria, SouthAfrica. He hoped to get a dignified reward for his expertise as a high school math and science teacher.

Listening to Zivanai relate his ordeal sounds like a page plucked out of fictional script. Like many Zimbabweans at the time, he did not have a passport. His only way into South Africa was to cross the border illegally, a daunting and risky task. There were cases of ruthless border patrol officers setting dogs on helpless immigrants as well as bandits mugging immigrants of their valued possessions. The fear of crocodiles in the Limpopo river could not deter them from the pursuit of better lives. This was just the beginning of a 100km walking journey.

“There were dangerous gangs and thugs along the way. They would wait on vulnerable Zimbabweans and strip them of their valuable possessions. In some instances they would rape and kill people”.

As luck would have it Zivanai joined a group of 140 other migrants. They resisted several attempted muggings by the bandits. At one instance one of the thugs was attacked and killed. “I cant forget that experience” Zivanai recounts. Eventually they made it into Louis Trichardt a town where they got assistance from the Jersuit Refugee Service and asylum seekers' permits.

Getting a job was not as easy as he had hoped.

“ I spent one year doing all sorts of odd jobs. I would wash cars and dig latrine pits. This frustrated me a lot because I knew I was a qualified math teacher”.

After a year of doing subsistence work and regretting leaving his ‘dignified’ work in Zimbabwe, Zivanai got a teaching job at a private school near Pretoria.

The dawning reality of the possibility to go back to Zimbabwe sooner than hoped has left many unease. Zivanai “I don't know how they (South African government) are going to deal with the situation.” Wonders Zivanai, “there are many of us working productively in South Africa”.

Whither to return?

A man holding a Zimbabwean dollar 'mosaic' reminiscent of the pre2009 hyper inflation.

Dr. Aurelia Segatti, an immigration expert at the African Centre for Migration & Society at University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, observed that, while the new regulation affects all immigrants regardless of their nationality, it will have more impact on Zimbabweans, “because they were quite vulnerable before and it’s likely to increase”. Commenting on the vulnerabilities, Advocate Shumba, a Zimbabwean lawyer and Civic society leader based in Johannesburg, said “the new regulations permit the determination of asylum transit visas at the borders [which] is highly risky and dangerous for those fleeing political persecution”. These regulations will see many of our people declared "undesirables", as we have witnessed in recent weeks, thus forcing many underground and threatening SouthAfrica’s security”

The likelihood of Zimbabweans willingly returning home is unclear, sparking fears of forced deportations, and general prejudice.

“I don’t really see many Zimbabweans going back, some have been here for over 10 years. They have settled with families here. It’s going to be a cat-and-mouse scenario once again”. Said Fred Matcheza, a law graduate who has been in South Africa for the past five years. Resettling back in Zimbabwe would be a tough call for many immigrants considering the current state of economy and unemployment levels with estimates running as high as 90%. “I cannot go back home to be a teacher. If you look at the economy, politics, and start comparing, my salary here is far much better than what i would earn at home.”, declared Zivanai.

There has been a proliferation of counterfeit work permits selling for R500.00 (roughly $50) . To an ordinary observer they look like originals and they can fool even a trained immigration official without a scanner. Desperate migrants who might not have a chance at the official work permit are opting for this option. For people with professional skills it is a different story. “Most Zimbabweans would rather stay here illegally rather than going home. Coming back home is a gamble but my profession requires integrity”, Matsheza added.

Fears of Xenophobia

Messina Border post, SouthAfrica

From early last year to recent months, SouthAfrica has experienced a surge in cases of attacks on foreign nationals.This has heightened concerns that last year’s amendment to the Immigration Act might incite more attacks. Commenting on the xenophobia concerns Dr Aurelia said, “I do not want necessarily establish an automatic or mechanical relationship between the regulation and xenophobia.With the government’s systematic restriction, it is sending a message that immigration is not a positive thing for the country. At least in terms of how the government communicate with the people it is reinforcing other people’s prejudice and negative sentiment toward immigrants.” She added that

“Xenophobia has been quite high in South Africa. It has remained high and it has not been systematically denounced by the government. The attacks have been taking place on a regular basis and unfortunately it is something that is likely to continue.”

As the chances of the Zimbabwe's economic recovery thin away, the political uncertainty builds up, and the attacks on foreign nationals build up, the possibility of being forced to return home grows. They (Zimbabweans in SouthAfrica) might have to brave the threats of expulsion and xenophobic attacks with the hope that 2018 elections bring something better.

]]>Zimbabwe’s Refugees: Whither to return?How to confuse a nation in order dominate it: Politics for DummiesZimbabwePoliticsAfricaChangePan ProjectFri, 20 Mar 2015 03:13:38 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/3/6/how-to-confuse-the-nation-in-order-to-run-it-an-idiots-guide-to-21st-century-politics52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:54fa0b0de4b0a50e09796cf0History has already given us different models of governance. But forget all
that, here is a political theory based on a 34 year long empirical study.By Tenford Chitanana

History has already given us different models of governance. But forget all that, here is a political theory based on a 34 year long empirical study.

Elections

It always begins with a pending election. Do not set a date, make the polling day mysterious. Then one fine morning let the country wake up to the breaking news of the day; “ A guy is suing the government for failure to hold elections within a given time”. Find one of the finest political thinkers to formulate your campaign. When all the theorising and scheming is done, bring on board a few practical, physical and hands-on politicians to be the foot soldiers. Introduce a vague concept like “Team Zimbabwe” or whatever the name of your political party. Subliminally embed it into nearly every sector of life so much that “Team” becomes a ubiquitous prefix. When you launch your campaign evoke emotions, appeal to the patriots, appeal to the business-minded, appeal to the youth, appeal to the peace lovers, but most importantly, work with a lot of little promises, even when your record shows clearly that you cannot deliver. If need be celebrate the tittle gains you have made in a larger-than-life kind of approach.

MDC Supporters bidding a farewell that never was

Policy

Produce large documents with complex but easy to remember acronyms like ZIMPREST, BACCOSSI or ZIMASSET. Don't bother explaining it that much. Do not worry about work plans or monitoring systems. That is just a waste of time. Besides, the confusion that is generated from lack of timelines and monitoring is part of the bigger plan. Everyone should be confused. Including some of the people you hire to write such policies. Where possible you can borrow some words like ‘indigenous’ and turn them into intricate “socio-politiconomic” statutes.

Education

It is important that everyone acquires primary education, try to push for secondary education if possible. Emphasise the importance of education. An educated nation is easier to run. The more the people who can read or write the better. They get to read the newspapers and the internet. That is where the real battle happens (as shall be explained later). Sell aspiration, those newspaper reading, ‘globally-minded’ folks like that sort of stuff. It makes them feel sophisticated and pushing their way into the heart of the middle class. As for university graduates, make sure they are endowed with complex theories of and about everything. Just create very little jobs. The bigger the unemployment rates, the better. The unemployed create their own odd jobs. This way they feel like they are defying the system (if not many laws of nature). They will surely use the little money they make to buy newspapers and internet bandwidth. They will read and analyse the zeitgeist, satisfying their inner sense of complexity. When you down your scotch or one of those intricate drinks from abroad, they will be sipping through a knock-off spirit from one of your many backdoor corporations.

The Media and the Agenda

Newspaper headlines on 28 July 2013

This is the melting pot. The struggle is won or lost here. The plot has to be well-thought. Whatever it is, the basic principle is to stay at least 3 steps ahead. On any given day play the ignoramus also catching up like the rest of the people. To put a cherry on this pie, let the digital optimists hang onto their farfetched dream of clicking their way into democracy. As for the rest of the masses, they will continue social monitoring until they realise their voices are too small to speak out. Once this is done the result is a concoction is delirious fanaticism among those who support you while your opponents slowly degenerate into apathetic inertia.

Constantly feed people with words and catchy phrases. Make them think they are in charge of the discourse when you actually tell them what to think about. Once in a while introduce talking points such as carnival or any other diversion you can master. Make everyone forget yesterday’s headlines and focus on today’s hot topic. Mythology, Witchcraft, Succession, Corruption, Intelligence, Faction or whatever mayhem depending on the day. Work on a vague concept like vision 2030, don't give much detail. When it comes to future leadership do not give a lot of information. Just keep everyone speculating and scheming. By the time you are done, they would have decimated each other.

Parliament and other Organs

When you plan the house of assembly, think big. Rallies and Riots big. Similar with the the upper house. Opt for the older guys, they like to sleep and exchange pictures of their grandchildren, nothing gets done.

The End Game

Movement for Democratic Change supporters celebrate at a rally five days before 2013 elections.

If you have a way, use all the time you have to orchestrate the activities in your political opponents' camps. Make them react to a very little thing you do. Make them feel as if they are the only hope for the country’s future. Even if they are it doesn't matter, most people prefer the seen than the hoped unless if its coming from a "prophet's" mouth. If you achieve this, your adversaries will become complacent and forget every little thing that pushed them into opposition. Let them have a semblance of power. This helps them forget the basics. Let them fly around the world giving big talks about how they are the only viable solution. Once all this happens they will feel powerful, they will demand mansions and the biggest latest cars on the market. They will accept small bribes from who ever has the illusion that they have power. If there are men around as is always the case, let their manhood drag them along. If you do this right, they can marry just like they merry. Before you know it, they will have a handful of marriage proposals to women of all ages.

When all this is done, wait. A perfect domination starts to occur. A mystery is born. MYSTERY. Mystrey is good it pushes everyone into some kind of reaction. The Analysts will start to hypothesise, the Illiterate, the workers and the general population will be confused into mass hysteria. Then there is the Religious folk. Mystrey is a perfect condition for hope and hope is the basis of faith. The Media is always important, keep feeding them some form of front page worth scandal. The greater the scandal, the more the conspiracy theories. The more the conspiracy theories, the greater the confusion. The more the confusion, the smoother the autopilot style of governance. Whenever in doubt remember Solzhenitsyn's wisdom;

A man will always wait silently and submissively for better times, clinging to whatever small blessings he may still enjoy. But when he has nothing more to lose and is ready to turn and fight it is more often than not too late, since he is already at bay or a captive who can do nothing but beat on the stone walls of his cell.- Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, First Circle.

Tenford Chitanana is a communications practitioner with interests in documentary film, crisis communications, web analytics, inbound marketing and social media. He is the Managing Editor of PAN. His passion is to build a well curated hub of knowledge and stories on African politics, entrepreneurship and the arts.

How to confuse a nation in order dominate it: Politics for DummiesWhy 2014 Was A Year African Women Should ForgetAfricaUgandaZimbabweSomaliaPoliticsLeadershipPan ProjectSat, 07 Mar 2015 14:59:19 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2015/3/6/why-2014-the-year-african-women-should-forget52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:54f9fa96e4b01f732aba114dThe above examples illustrate the continued vulnerability of women in
Africa. It is not in Africa alone where 2014 has been a bad year, but the
world over. As we commemorate the International Women's Day (Sunday 8 March
2015), let it be a time to reflect, a time to have real meaningful personal
and political changes.

By Takawira Kapikinyu

I am not a woman but I have a wife, a sister and women friends who I love so much. It would break my heart if anyone would dare do anything to strip them of their dignity. It even breaks my heart if other women are demeaned and harassed for just being women and not conforming to what men consider to be their place. I get upset when women because of their sheer majority are used to vote men into office and the men are never accountable to the women who elected them or even seriously take women issues into consideration. Women are tools which politicians use to assume power not to serve them.

1. In June 2014 over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Chibok Nigeria and the whole world rallied with the hashtag #bringbackourgirls. Politicians, celebrities’ and the common populace took to social media with the call for the Nigerian government to take responsibility to bring the girls home to their parents and let them pursue their education. Nigerian women held demonstrations, held discussions with their president and he promised to bring the girls home. Several media reports quoted the military saying they had located the girls and would launch a military operation to rescue them. Other reports indicated that the government was in talks with the terrorists for the release of the girls. Six months down the line nothing has been done to rescue the girls and attention has focused to the general election and there is no talk of their plight.

2. Uganda passed a mini skirt ban, another dictate on what women should wear in public. Several women have been stripped naked in public for wearing skimpy clothes and miniskirts. Disgusting footage has emerged from Kenya where a woman was stripped naked for wearing skimpy jeans in public. In Zimbabwe women are constantly harassed and also stripped for wearing miniskirts. In all the three countries mentioned women have demonstrated against this behaviour but it continues unabated, politicians are nowhere to be seen, no prosecution recorded to date.

3. There was recently a report that African Union troops (AMISOM) in Somalia have been sexually exploiting young girls and women under their protection. No inquiry has been made to date to verify and bring those who committed such acts to justice. Eastern Congo has been labeled the “Rape Capital of the world” and to date many women are still seeking justice for the mass rapes and sexual exploitation that they have endured under the hands of either rebels or the army. Many of the accused have not been arrested while some of the leaders have been awaiting trial at the International criminal Court (ICC), far from their victims.

4. Recent efforts/campaigns to end child marriages have largely been a women affair, no meaningful policy changes have taken place to provide education to the girl child and keep them in school. Politicians still attend the rallies, conferences and marches but forget about it when they go back to their seats of power. In many African countries many young girls lack access to sanitary wear thus missing out school for at least 15 days every 90 day term while on their monthly period. Only private individuals and NGOs have come to the rescue and distributed free sanitary wear.

5. Politically women have lost power. In Malawi Joyce Banda lost the race to retain her presidency. This is despite her efforts to fight corruption and bring those responsible for it to book. In Zimbabwe the first woman vice president Joice Mujuru is on her way out after an elaborate scheme by a faction within her ruling party who do not want her to assume the presidency in the event the incumbent vacating. In Liberia the first African woman president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has largely been sidelined in managing the Ebola response in her country, it appears she is no longer in charge and responders come in and out of the country without fully strengthening the country’s health system.

The above examples illustrate the continued vulnerability of women in Africa. It is not in Africa alone where 2014 has been a bad year, but the world over. As we commemorate the International Women's Day (Sunday 8 March 2015), let it be a time to reflect, a time to have real meaningful personal and political changes. Let us come up with sustainable solutions to the problems African women face and let us advance women protection and accord them the same rights and privileges that men enjoy. When women vote they must demand accountability and have their promises fulfilled. Institutions must not fall behind, they should actively fulfil their mandate. Not only should they be resourced and manned but managed by competent people who are dedicated to service. Justice should be served by the AU and the UN on those who have been accused of sexual crimes while undertaking these institutions’ mandate. 2015 should be a different year for women in Africa.

Aluta Continua!

Takah is a humanitarian aid professional focusing on emergency and post conflict response. He has worked for various organizations dedicated to humanitarian aid in Africa and around the world. His main focus is refugees, displaced people and gender issues. His passion is to help Africa realize a better peaceful and equitable path to development. He is a holder of Sociology and a Masters in Rural and Urban Planning degrees from the University of Zimbabwe, and is finishing his second Masters in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University’s Heller School (USA). He enjoys traveling and photography.

]]>Why 2014 Was A Year African Women Should ForgetSomalia's RefugeesSomaliaQFFPan ProjectFri, 11 Jul 2014 18:16:52 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/7/11/somalis-refugee52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:53c0242ee4b08da384455460Somalia has endured one of the longest conflicts in the world. The country
has been shaken to the core and its people scattered all over the world.Infographic by Erin LaBrake

Somalia has endured one of the longest conflicts in the world. The country has been shaken to the core and its people scattered all over the world. A few months ago we talked about the plight of Somali refugees in Kenya.

Erin

Erin LaBrake is a self proclaimed citizen of the world. Her background includes a BA in Public Relations and she is currently an MA candidate in an international communication management program. She is an avid pontificator, idea generator, and content creator.

Somalia's RefugeesREPORT: The maiden celebrations of the Black History month in Japan AfricaSouth AfricaDiasporaJapanPan ProjectThu, 05 Jun 2014 09:40:55 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/5/27/report-the-maiden-celebrations-of-the-black-history-month-in-japan52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5384bf66e4b08ed23a663d14By commemorating the Black History Month, International Christian
University joined many institutions, organizations and communities world
over who in February of every year gather to celebrate the history of the
people of African descent.By Nixon Nembaware

Ambassador of Haiti in Japan, Judith Exavier with Nixon Nembaware, a Zimbabwean expatriate in Tokyo

The International Christian University also know as Kokusai Kiristokyo Daigaku in Japan organized two events for their first ever Black History Month celebration. The first event was a dialogue with Dr. Mohau Pheko, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Japan who gave an open lecture on the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the history of black people in South Africa. This was followed by a dialogue with Ms. Judith Exavier, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Japan. Ms Exavier delivered a talk on the history of the Black people in the Caribbean Island, its link to the history of slavery as well as a look at the prospects that lie ahead for black people world over.

The discussions opened up opportunities for questions around the relations between South African and it’s neighboring Zimbabwe. Issues around symbolic versus practical empowerment of black people in the SADC region were also discussed. Speaking about Mandela, Ambassador Pheko said "Mandela was just human like you and me, some of those things are myths that have developed over time and that's common for people of a public life like Mandela’s. Let me tell you, He was human like you and me, with all the human flaws, but he achieved a lot for South Africa and for the world and that stands out more."

By commemorating the black history month, International Christian University joined many institutions, organizations and communities world over who in February of every year gather to celebrate the history of the people of African descent. February is dedicated to honoring the memories of their ancestors, their struggles and their victories. The black history month has been celebrated for years around the world. The 2014 celebrations were especially unique because of the Golden Jubilee of Civil rights Movement in America and the passing on of Nelson Mandela a gallant black icon who led a determined fight against Apartheid in South Africa. For the ICU, this was the inaugural commemoration and a giant step for a liberal arts University, which fosters human rights and peace as well as promoting diversity in its various forms. ICU is located in Tokyo, one of the largest metropolitan cities of the world. The city has a significantly large population of people of African descent, among them students and staff of embassies and missions from America, Africa and Caribbean Islands.

Nixon Nembaware is a part of the team of Rotary World Peace Fellows who organized the Black History month activities. He strongly believes that now is the time for Africans to go out into the world and tell their own story in their own words and to see the world with their own eyes and derive meanings that make practical sense to them.

]]>REPORT: The maiden celebrations of the Black History month in JapanAs African Union Turns 51: Celebration or...? Riddle me thisLeadershipPoliticsZimbabweUgandaSouth AfricaSomaliaKenyaPan ProjectSun, 25 May 2014 20:03:17 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/5/25/celebration-or-riddle-me-this52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:538242a5e4b030a54b65d635With ever increasing security related problems, exemplified by the
increasing rates of piracy and kidnappings along key trade routes, and the
ever seemingly amazing evading tactics of the Boko Haram as their acts of
terrorism only increase in magnitude, how secure are we as a Continent?By Marian Mazi

Are we there yet? Photo by Harrison Akoh

After 51 years of the existence of the Organisation of African Unity, and 12 years for African Union project, should we be dolling up and dressing to the nines or must we dial it down and prepare for the burial of an enormously ambitious project? In comparison to the European Union project, whose inception came 30 years after the AU, have we lagged too far behind? Do we remain in a warp of policies that are brilliant on paper? Are we stuck on a wheel of the perpetual planning stage? Solutions left to the political class who convene in plush hotels to address issues and yet no impact is felt on the ground where poverty is rife, unemployment is escalating and some argue to be the root cause of extreme poverty, piracy, terrorism and intrastate wars.

Anniversaries give us the opportunity to reflect on what has been, to find our bearings in order to discover where we are and where we are headed. As a Continent, do we have the suitable mechanisms in place to deter the intra and interstate conflicts that seem to cripple our continent on one extreme end, and the unrelenting onslaught by the West to keep us restricted in a neo-colonial web and the East to win our favours? Meanwhile Hollywood continues to make moving movies related to this dark and negative pictures painted over the years. Are we victims of abuse? Have the bleak pictures of Africa presented on screen and blasted everyday taken effect in our psyche? This of course would explain why as a Continent we have 63 as the average age for our illustrious leaders.

Or its a crash site of a big dream Photo by Harrison Akoh

When examining the root causes of some of our worst short comings, there are those who are quick to point to the foundational principles which were centred on the eradication of the remaining vestiges of colonial power. At the time, the OAU allied with the socialist side of the cold war divide, however over time, these ideals had to exist in a capitalist world which had emerged victorious post the fall of the Berlin wall. With no other viable options presented all that was left was to submit to the dictates of erstwhile colonisers who came with solutions of economic development, aggressive democracy wrapped up in conditional funding and borrowing from Paul to pay Peter. On the other end of the spectrum you find celebrations of new found Asean allies which make some wary as it presents a whole new threat to the already fragile security environment which prevails on our Continent. However, does this justify what we have become?

Policies which exist on paper echo the sentiments of the Unions forebears, who envisioned a politically, socially and economically integrated continent with a common identity and yet on the ground we still have a distinctive split, defined along the lines of our Regional Economic Communities (RECs), which are at different stages of development. These being the:-

One can only hope that we remain on schedule for the achievement of the 2028 Establishment of the African Economic Community, which by then we have hopes of having established the African Economic MonetaryUnion.

As far as our universal struggle goes, yes, as Black people we do have common struggles that we can identify with, however as a union of African states, what is it that defines us? Yet and still concerns emanating from the colonially imposed borders will raise their head, with questions which emerge 100 years later on whether or not it was a good idea to lump some states together? As intra state conflicts continue, the question becomes whether or not secession is the most viable option.

What now? Photo by Harrison Akoh

As the perpetual optimists continue to dream of a United States of Africa, statistics show that compared to other blocs, intra- African trade stands at 12%, compared to 60% for the EU, 40% for North America and 30% for the Asean bloc. With the EU having opened their border and allowed for free movement of peoples, goods and service, how far are we from realising that ever illusive dream? Which legacy are we leaving behind for the survival of future generations? Whither thou the United States of Africa? Dulled into obscurity by the seeming propensity of leaders to cling on to power way past their sell by date? Or is it the civil wars which seem to be trending in the North, East and West? No it must be the stark margins which exist between the rich and the poor (or the aristocratic bourgeoisie or so called political class and the paupered proletariat). Or the permanent seemingly traumatising presence of what is now dubbed ‘Dead aid’.

We have common struggles Photo by Harrison Akoh

In terms of executing African solutions for African problems, we are still far from the dream, as we become more dependent on foreign funding to enforce the ideals of African peace and security. Most proponents for a more unified Africa were horrified when the three members of the AU ignored the decision taken by the Union on Libya and instead voted for UN Resolution 1973, declaring to the world that we are ill equipped to handle our own crises. With ever increasing security related problems, exemplified by the increasing rates of piracy and kidnappings along key trade routes, and the ever seemingly amazing evading tactics of the Boko Haram as their acts of terrorism only increase in magnitude, how secure are we as a Continent? Nigeria threatening to burst at the seams and the looming land question and stark inequality which continues to plague South Africa? Corruption is the order of the day and the best part is in Africa, whether you are a geriatric or a paraplegic you can be president! How’s that for democracy?

Marian Mazi

Marian Mazi has read for an Honours in Political Science Degree and Masters in International Relations. She is passionate about the day to day lives of Wastakians. A lover of all things art and aspiration pedagogy!!!

]]>As African Union Turns 51: Celebration or...? Riddle me thisZIMBABWE: Has "Change" Come to Devour It's Pontificators?ChangePoliticsTsvangiraiLeadershipZimbabwePan ProjectSat, 26 Apr 2014 19:38:29 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/4/26/v6d2eczhcsx0e9n4px7p9a0bgc8fvw52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:535c00abe4b091cbee14c855Reports coming from Harare claim that the leader of the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai and his close allies have been
suspended from the party. His deputy, the party's spokesperson and the
organising secretary of the MDC are among those suspend for GALLERY
Morgan Tsvangirai MDC President
Time to Reflect- Morgan Tsvangirai
Nelson Chamisa MDC Organising Secretary- (In the foreground)
Thokozani Khupe- MDC Deputy President (In the middle)
Douglas Mwonzora-MDC Spokesperson (Left)

Reports coming from Harare claim that the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai and his close allies have been suspended from the party. His deputy, the party's spokesperson and the organising secretary of the MDC are among those suspend for "deviating from (MDC's) democratic principles". The current state of this once a giant and credible opposition to President Mugabe's ZANU PF can be attributed to the failure of the party's leadership to embrace the heart of what they preach- CHANGE.

]]>ZIMBABWE: Has "Change" Come to Devour It's Pontificators?Rekindling The Sexuality Conversation in UgandaUgandaPan ProjectTue, 22 Apr 2014 09:34:17 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/4/22/rekindling-the-sexuality-conversation-in-uganda52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:53562b75e4b0342a4d240ad4The lodging of a Constitutional Petition [No 08 of 2014] by Prof. Oloka
and team presents a new frontier for challenging the legality of the new
law in the Constitutional Court. Such scrutiny and further debate might at
least assist in broadening Uganda’s equality jurisprudence especially when
the Constitution does not expressly provide for sexual orientation and
gender identity as grounds for discrimination.By Benon Gowa

It feels like it's been a year or even more since the ascension of the anti-homosexuality bill (PDF) into law. The debate or at least the conversation around the law seems to be loosing its lustre particularly in the mainstream media. The euphoric frustrations and the naive celebrations by either side of the debate have since recededinto the oblivion of our busy schedules. Sadly the media has moved on. Noone is there to remind us of such stories and how they at some point caught our eyes, moved our thoughts, and touched our hearts.

Notwithstanding the fading media attention, there’s no topic that generates as much hostility and controversy as the issue of same sex relationships in Uganda. Discussing it in public has ceased to be a taboo with every individual being free to express their views on the matter. Obviously the discussion has been centered around whether being gay is a matter of choice which could ‘easily’ be changed through corrective re-orientation therapy and constant prayers. It is this focus on the notion of “choice vs. born that way” narrative that is responsible for the introduction of a private member’s Bill in 2009 to provide for wholesale criminal prohibitions of any conduct perceived as being outside the established cultural gender norms of being male and female. It is this controversial Bill which prescribed life sentences for same sex sexual activity in private between consenting adults which President Yoweri Museveni signed into law. Eliciting an angry chain reaction from the donor community coupled with their threats to cut back on aid.

Several months after the bill was signed into law, there has not been any significant aid cuts to Uganda. Despite earlier threats, senior European representatives like His Excellency Hon. Kristian Schmidt, the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, urged that “there won’t be any more aid cuts because of the need to respect Uganda’s sovereignty.” This coupled with their continued assistance to a number of intolerant law enforcement institutions like the Equal Opportunities Commission Tribunal has been viewed by some LGBTI* rights activists across the country as a set-back to their efforts. Such unanticipated twists in this episode in Uganda have further complicated matters for the human rights activists who somehow feel unprotected either way they turn for solidarity. Seeing that certain law enforcement agents have already started implementing the law by arbitrarily searching individuals’ homes and bodies even on an extreme suspicion of an individual’s sexuality.

However, the lodging of a Constitutional Petition [No 08 of 2014] (Original Scan) by Prof. Oloka and team presents a new frontier for challenging the legality of the new law in the Constitutional Court. Such scrutiny and further debate might at least assist in broadening Uganda’s equality jurisprudence especially when the Constitution does not expressly provide for sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination. More so, the proceedings of this case are going to be the very first time Ugandan courts will be pronouncing themselves on the legal status of LGBTI individuals in Uganda. In the past, in cases involving discrimination and violence against gay people, the High Court of Uganda has painstakingly avoided the question of sexuality. The major scapegoat was conveniently sticking to generalities like, abuse of individuals’ rights to privacy, unlawful searches without warrants as well as citing such aspects as attack on freedom from inhumane and degrading treatment. Even when the complainants were individuals whose perceived “divergent” sexual orientations had been the main motive for their being attacked. It still remains to be seen how far the Constitutional Court will be willing stretch the Bill of Rights to provide for sexual orientation and gender identities as potential grounds for discrimination just like social class, race, tribe, and religion.

Benon M. Gowa practices with the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda. Where he advises the organization and in-house counsel on a range of compliance and transactional matters touching on legal and regulatory affairs, due diligence, procurement contracts , corporate governance, administration, compliance and risk. He's also a very passionate civil rights activists and a seasonal contributor of articles touching the matter of rights observance for the disadvantaged groups of individuals in his community. Benon holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice of the Law Development Center. His a member of the Uganda Law Society.

]]>Rekindling The Sexuality Conversation in UgandaWhy Zimbabwe’s Independence Means Something And Nothing At The Same TimeZimbabwePoliticsChangePan ProjectSun, 20 Apr 2014 11:50:15 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/4/19/why-zimbabwes-independence-means-something-and-nothing-at-the-same-time52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5351bfebe4b0fff57890d1e9Now that I have put my gun down
For almost obvious reasons
The enemy still is here invisible
My barrel has no definite targetBy Tenford Chitanana

Now that I have put my gun down For almost obvious reasons The enemy still is here invisible My barrel has no definite targetnowLet my hands work –My mouth sing –My pencil write –About the same things my bullet aimed at.

— Freedom Nyamubaya, On the Road Again, 1986

Thirty four years ago Zimbabwe got its independence from a racist and minority Rhodesian government. During the last years of this struggle, Zimbabwe then Rhodesia, was under the leadership of Ian Smith who is (in)famous for his declaration that there would be no black majority rule, not even in an thousand years.

For most ‘young’ Zimbabweans like me, we never experienced the war for our independence- we are the 'bornfree' generation. As a kid independence day celebration, was not something I could comprehend personally, but I grew to understand a little bit through the songs and narratives that my parents and family elders would tell us from time to time. Their collective memory particularly of the war of liberation, though stingily shared, consistently offered a lot of insights on our stories and the struggle for self rule. My father’s memorization of the Maoist doctrine through songs of comradeship and collective ownership of the burden of war is as vivid as it gets. The songs contain things like a moral code of conduct that emphasize on treating the masses with respect and not to plunder their resources. To be one with the mass like fish and water. To always keep the goals of the people’s organisation at heart. Some songs, usually from my mother, paint evocative images of the battlefront. Scenes of helicopters, fighter jets, and bombs scorching innocent civilians- a people fighting for self-determination. Some songs summon the spirits to intervene while others portray larger than life individual sacrifices for the greater good.

Thirty four years on, it is important to relive those experiences, celebrate the gains but most importantly reflect on where we are today. If Zimbabwe's independence is looked at from a war point of view, that war was brutal and no price tag can ever make up for it. Nonetheless, it is crucial to go a step further and ask why we lost all those good people?

I cannot easily comprehend how painful the war was, but through the distant gazes, tales and songs from my family I can attempt to imagine the grueling experiences they went through. This pain should not overshadow the reasons that sent people into the trenches. If anything, the pain of the war should remind us of the product which was paid by our forbearers paid with sweat and blood. Over three decades later, we have to reflect and ask the questions; Have we got what we paid for? The land, the freedoms, economic independence, and the right to self determination. What does independence mean to our generation, do we need to renew our idea of being independent? Can we genuinly take stock of what we have achieved or failed? Are we on the right path of developing our country? Is our democracy (even by our local definition) growing? Is the majority ruling? What will the future Zimbabweans think about us when they look back at these moments? Are we even safe to ask these questions?

I love Zimbabwe but it will be important to have ‘A different kind of love’ . My final thoughts are yet again borrowed from Freedom Nyamubaya;

Some people loved this country so much

That they died for it

Their skeletons are scattered all over Zimbabwe

The skeletons are still dying for this country As they turn into useful manure

The survivors do not seem to love

This country at all

Now Zimbabwe is dying

On their behalf

Who loves Zimbabwe to save it from dying for us?

]]>Why Zimbabwe’s Independence Means Something And Nothing At The Same TimeKenya must reconsider the directive to send all refugees to camps.PoliticsKenyaSomaliaPan ProjectMon, 14 Apr 2014 10:22:37 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/4/14/kenya-must-reconsider-the-directive-to-send-all-refugees-to-camps52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:534b5622e4b0977680d3a3f8I am afraid that if the international community stands aside and let Kenya
go on with enforcing the encampment policy, they will ultimately force the
Somalis to return home. This is the ultimate goal though we all know it is
not safe to return to Somalia. Refugees should be given the choice to
reside in urban areas if they are able to support themselves. Refugees must
also not be forced to return home when it is not safe to do so. What
happened to the oneness of Africans?By Takawira Kapikinyu

In Africa there is a shared belief that we are all brothers and sisters and that the borders and boundaries are a creation of the colonialists therefore they should not separate us. Pursuant to this is the notion that all refugees from a neighboring country are welcome and we should be hospitable to them until such a time it is safe for them to return home. In-fact we say “my home is your home feel free”. There is also what is called Ubuntu, the respect for other people and treating them in a humane way because they are just like us. This week my heart was shattered when the Kenyan government decided against this African moral code and ordered all refugees into refugee camps. This is known as Encampment Policy. This directive is not new, it has been given before by the previous government, only to be set aside by the High Court. The Kenyan government’s main concern are not all refugees, but the Somalis.

While I was in Kenya for over six months I spoke to Kenyans about the Somali refugee situation and most felt it was high time they go back to their country as Kenya had liberated some areas in South Central Somalia from Al Shabaab control. I preferred to argue that we ought to understand that refugees also want to go back home but when there is insecurity and we know they may die before they even reach their homes, why not let them stay? The Westgate mall attack and the signing of the Tripartite Agreement further consolidated Kenya’s call for the Somalis to leave the country. The media joined in and has been using every opportunity to quote the government officials who wish to see the Somalis return home. Most Kenyans are angry and the government would want to be seen as doing something to address people’s anger.

While most human rights and advocacy groups are quick to point out that Kenya has legal obligations under International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Conventions and use other legal jargon, I prefer to call on Kenya to uphold the African moral code of conduct. This has been the basis for which they have accepted these refugees hence they should not hold the majority of these hardworking resilient people who have survived for over two decades without setting foot in their homeland to be responsible for the Al Shabaab attacks. We all know that stability in many African countries is not guaranteed. There are countries that were said to be beacons of stability but are today the largest refugee sending countries. Kenya should take note of that in this instance.

It will not be easy for UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations to look after these refugees who had been independent as funding for Kenyan camps always falls short of requirements. There is hardly enough food to feed refugees. Shelter is lacking and the Kenyan government won’t allow the building of permanent shelter in the camps. It will also be traumatizing for these refugees to be idle, school going children will not be in school, young girls will be forced into early marriages, women face the biggest threat of insecurity in the camps. It is much cheaper for refugees to live outside camps as they also contribute towards their own sustenance.

I am afraid that if the international community stands aside and let Kenya go on with enforcing the encampment policy, they will ultimately force the Somalis to return home. This is the ultimate goal though we all know it is not safe to return to Somalia. Refugees should be given the choice to reside in urban areas if they are able to support themselves. Refugees must also not be forced to return home when it is not safe to do so. What happened to the oneness of Africans?

Takah is a humanitarian aid professional focusing on emergency and post conflict response. He has worked for various organizations dedicated to humanitarian aid in Africa and around the world. His main focus is refugees, displaced people and gender issues. His passion is to help Africa realize a better peaceful and equitable path to development. He is a holder of Sociology and a Masters in Rural and Urban Planning degrees from the University of Zimbabwe, and is finishing his second Masters in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University’s Heller School (USA). He enjoys traveling and is a self-taught photographer.

]]>Kenya must reconsider the directive to send all refugees to camps.Change and the Tyranny of the Majority in AfricaPoliticsSouth AfricaZimbabweMDCChangePan ProjectMon, 14 Apr 2014 10:20:54 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/4/9/9bw4b3sw53r20jaj3jgocupapwzv7z52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5343fe75e4b03ef52d7b3c24The challenge of ochlocracy in emerging democratic societies has remained
the “tyranny of the majority”. Under these conditions, the majority
encloses thought within a formidable fence where one is free to express
self within the generally agreed parameters, but vulnerable to isolation
once one goes behind the fence. Over time a spiral of silence develops,
minority opinion, thought, and ideas are consistently shrugged off, at the
very least .by Pan

Several months ago I travelled to Zimbabwe. During my stay I accidentally ran into a recently elected MP representing the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T). We had a casual chat about the outcome of the then recently held harmonized elections and how Morgan Tsvangirai had “lost” to Robert Mugabe. One question that we naturally went for was “what now?”. Jokingly, we all seemed to think that maybe it was time for Mr. Tsvangirai to resign to allow for regeneration of a party whose energy was nearly burnt out from both strong political opposition and enduring internal shortcomings. Towards end of January 2014 the Deputy Tresurer General of the MDC-T Mr Elton Mangoma made a blatant proposal offering the founding leader of the MDC-T a golden parachute to drop from the helm of the party. The story was initially circulated through ‘grapevine-ish’ means making it sound like a boardroom coup. Whether or not the proposition was treasonous is subject for another day. To date the story has developed into various twists and turns. The outcome of which has been physical assault on the so-called renewal grouping and the ultimate suspension and expulsion of Mr Mangoma and his vocal allies from the MDC-T.

A take home from the current internal struggles bedeviling the MDC-T is the question of change. What is change? Can we change? Why should we? How do we manage change? The question of change is even more illuminated in the MDC-T as the organization was created and continues to sell itself under the change mantra.

Change management has been understood along the lines of understanding that the 21st century environment is constantly changing. Organisations that survive in this continuous tide of change are those that can adapt to the needs and realities of their stakeholders and improve on their delivery constantly. Interestingly the MDC-T has decided to call the idea of internal change, leadership renewal. A term that implies recycling, continuing, repairing, and extending validity (after the old one has expired). The notion of renewal is somewhat not very complementary to the concept of change which generally implies overhaul.

It is important to note that it is unfair to single out the MDC-T as the failing change ambassador. Change deficiency is a malignant cancer chewing through various institutions in Africa.

Most African countries have failed to evolve beyond the revolutionary parties that contributed to their respective independence from colonial rule. Post independence institutions have been created on the basis of liberation war doctrine and they have failed to capture the new momentum. The ANC in South Africa is fast becoming an example of this change failure, though the country has managed to keep steady economy and thriving institutions, the party has failed to fully stand up to the demands and imagination of a growing poor and youthful population. In Zimbabwe, after nearly 34 years in power, ZANU (PF) is still struggling to retain legitimacy and followership among the so-called born frees (young people born after the 1980 independence). In Rwanda, President Kagame is still in charge, 20 years after the genocide, despite a growing opposition to his rule.

At a continental level, the African Union has at best managed to change its name from its founding, Organisation for African Unity. These predominantly political examples give an insight of a society that has not changed much in many years. The resistance to change has in many ways affected the citizens.

Without running the risk of “too being academic”, let me reflect on how the resistance to change has affected growing democracies and societies in general. Perpetuation of asocial convention, customs and norms, that uphold status quo have escalated the fear of isolation by those who have a divergent view. Just as observed by Tocqueville, 18th Century French politician, people join “masses even though they (do) not agree with them” mostly because of their fear of isolation than “committing an error”. The challenge of ochlocracy in emerging democratic societies has remained the “tyranny of the majority”. Under these conditions, the majority encloses thought within a formidable fence where one is free to express self within the generally agreed parameters, but vulnerable to isolation once one goes behind the fence. Over time a spiral of silence develops, minority opinion, thought, and ideas are consistently shrugged off, at the very least . The society and its institutions fail to grow and open up to novel ideas. Sadly many African societies are ‘growing’ towards that direction.

]]>Change and the Tyranny of the Majority in AfricaUGANDA'S WAR ON PORNOGRAPHYPoliticsUgandaSexualityPan ProjectMon, 31 Mar 2014 03:34:25 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/3/31/uganda-vs-pornography-and-homosexuality52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5338d36ee4b0baa8f8424f6dSince one’s Right to Privacy also implies that the State has no business
telling a mentally competent adult sitting alone in the comfort of their
house, what books they may read or what films they may watch. Where the
consumption of such sexually explicit materials hasn’t been shown to harm
its viewer by making them more likely to harbor rape or defilement
fantasies. Such scenarios definitely make the Act prone to attacks from the
traditional free speech advocates.by Benon Gowa

About a few months ago, the national parliament of Uganda passed two controversial Bills that sent shock waves around the world over their inherent wanton disregard for basic Human Rights. With the Anti-Gay Bill drawing wider condemnation than its counterpart the Anti-Pornography Bill which were passed on the same day under very questionable circumstances. Seeing that both bills were neither itemized on Parliament’s Order Paper, as matters coming-up for debate and nor were some of the members notified of what was to happen at the August House on the day they were passed. But the Speaker of Parliament, unrelenting in her efforts to ensure that both Bills be assented to, insisted on presiding over a House which lacked the requisite quorum. Most Ugandans only got to find-out about the travesty a day after local dailies decided to break the story on their front-pages. Which not surprisingly drew quite a lot of excitement from a great section of our moral majorities, who up to now are convinced that the State is entitled to use its coercive power to uphold and enforce the nation’s moral convictions and prevent individuals from engaging in activities that offend those prevailing standards of morality and decency.

So after a few days of lambasting the Speaker for acting outside Parliament’s established Rules of Procedure and the Prime Minister querying the Hon. Minister of Ethics and Integrity over the legitimacy of the “Miniskirt Bill”, the President decided to sign the Anti-Pornography Bill into law. Which a few moments thereafter triggered off a chain of attacks on some young women who were reportedly undressed by some overly enthusiastic self appointed law enforcers. Under the guises of enforcing the new “Anti-Miniskirt law” which prohibited the wearing of any ill-fitting clothes that exposed one’s body parts like their thighs, buttocks, cleavage and bare breasts-a thing which some cabinet members have repeatedly refuted on grounds that the new law does not expressly prohibit women from wearing miniskirts.

However, the interpretation of the contentious definition provision of the Anti-Pornography Act, 2014, will reveal something totally different. As it broadly defines the term pornography to mean:-

“Any representation through publication, exhibition, cinematography, indecent show, information technology or by whatever means, of a person engaged in real or stimulated sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of a person for primarily sexual excitement.”

Clearly, by choosing to define the term pornography to also include the representation of one’s sexual parts, the Act went too far to encompass other underlying anti-social behavior closely associated with acts of obscenity like indecent exposure which ordinarily involves the exposure of one’s specific body parts with an intention of being sexually suggestive. Yet strictly speaking, such lewd behavior is not ordinarily perceived as the depiction of sexual behavior whose over riding aim is to produce sexual arousal in its audience as the term pornography is widely known to be here. So, it’s this attempt at trying to regulate what’s required to be worn in public by seeking to punish those who expose their sexual parts-which the Act defines to include one’s genitals, buttocks, anus, bare chest for women- that has brought about most of this ensuing harm that has befallen mostly women who’ve been stripped by some over-zealous goons on account of enforcing the new “Anti-Miniskirt law”. Which in fact has already created more problems than it attempts to address since the overriding aim of the new law, as stated in its preamble, is to:-

“Protect both women and children from the dangers of pornography which fuels sexual crimes against them like rape, child molestation and incest.”

Yet in all honesty, its ambiguous provisions have already exposed the people it purports to protect to the threat of being sexually assaulted by rowdy groups of individuals who simply can’t keep their eyes off their bodies. Especially in an open society like ours which doesn’t seem to hold shared views on what type of proper clothes are to be worn while in public.

The Act is also bound to run into another road-block over its wholesale criminal prohibitions on the voluntary private consumption of pornography by consenting adults. The Act provides that “a person who produces, or participates in the production of, or traffics in, or publishes or broadcasts, or procures or imports or exports in anyway abets pornography commits an offence.” The operating verb here being the term “procures” which the Act defines as “means to purchase or obtain or being found in possession or custody or being found viewing in a premise, any material prohibited in this Act.”

Okay, we know that the Right to Privacy enshrined under Art. 27 of the Constitution is not an absolute right which can override if the private activities of the individual are such as to cause significant harm to those around them. However, no reliable information was ever presented to establish an empirically verifiable link of causation between the consumption of pornography and violence against women and children. This leaves the debate open as to whether the State’s restrictions on the individuals’ freedoms in order to prevent a perceived threat of actual harm to those around them is a legitimate reason to control which thoughts are good for us. Since one’s Right to Privacy also implies that the State has no business telling a mentally competent adult sitting alone in the comfort of their house, what books they may read or what films they may watch. Where the consumption of such sexually explicit materials hasn’t been shown to harm its viewer by making them more likely to harbor rape or defilement fantasies.

Such scenarios definitely make the Act prone to attacks from the traditional free speech advocates. Who oppose any interferences in a way an adult chooses to live their lives even if it goes against the will of the moral majority. Who’ve been in the habit of using their numbers in the national parliament to force their own moral convictions on the other non-mainstream groups. We therefore expect a very protracted legal battle in both the Constitutional and Supreme Courts challenging the constitutionality of the provisions of both the Anti-Pornography Act and Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014. Since both pieces of legislation have been widely viewed among the members of the legal fraternity as being in total disregard to the principles and values we subscribed to under Chapter Four on the Bill of Rights of the 1995 Constitution.

Benon M. Gowapractices with the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda. Where he advises the organization and in-house counsel on a range of compliance and transactional matters touching on legal and regulatory affairs, due diligence, procurement contracts , corporate governance, administration, compliance and risk. He's also a very passionate civil rights activists and a seasonal contributor of articles touching the matter of rights observance for the disadvantaged groups of individuals in his community. Benon holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice of the Law Development Center. His a member of the Uganda Law Society.

]]>UGANDA'S WAR ON PORNOGRAPHYDIRE STRAIGHTSElectionsZimbabwePoliticsPan ProjectMon, 31 Mar 2014 03:34:25 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/3/31/dire-straits52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5338d0b1e4b0dc95bcc143b2In my experience, forsaking a brighter future in a foreign land has turned
out to be one rueful mistake... So here I am, bastardised in my own
country. Where do I go now?by Marian Mazi

Welcome to the land of Wastaki*! Where none of your dreams come true.. Sad… but a reality all the same. At this moment, I would like you to imagine throwing out of the window, everything that you have ever believed about growing up. Gone are the sweet old days where there was a formula for success... Steps which you had to follow if, you wanted to be a successful somebody. Go to school! This is what they told us.. this is what we believed.. this is what we saw and indeed this is what we did… and put all our hopes in this seemingly no-fail formula… Alas!! Things changed and unfortunately we did not get the memo. So… Welcome to your new reality, you sad graduate!

So what’s next? This is a question you may be asking yourself, or worse still.. this is the question that you encounter everyday… It is at the tip of everybody’s tongue.. if only they knew.. that with every reference to your elusive future, they deliver a slap so hard, it makes the mind reel. Nothing is set in stone! Who told you that just because you went to university (several times) you would find employment? Did you not know that there is a new law in the land? One that favours entitlement, and sadly if you are not of that blood line (whichever one you may wish to imagine) there is nothing for you here.

In my experience,forsakinga brighter future in a foreign land has turned out to be one rueful mistake. Myself said to me, what on earth could you possibly gain here? In this land without your ancestors? Go back to the land of your forebears, there you will find riches! Such promise I carried then.. also dreaming obtaining one A2 farm to till the land and set myself free from economic bondage. Elusive. Nobody told me I had to know somebody for that to happen. So here I am, bastardised in my own country. Where do I go now?

Those of us who stayed here, must embrace our cowardice.. Too afraid we were to face the unknown… too naïve to see that if change will come it will be way past our time. The plight of the Wastakia youth will remain so.. soon this land will echo with the sounds that one can only find on the streets of Lagos. Degreed airtime vendors.. Articled clerks…PhD taxi drivers. The struggle for survival. If you are in Wastakia you will know exactly what I am referring to, the all too familiar streets looming with people desperate to make a dollar. Vegetable vendors who are actually drug pedlars at every corner, not caring what age they sell to.. all in a universal search for the green back. Those who know Wastakians well will tell you that this proud people used to be the friendliest group of citizens you could ever hope to find. Now?? You are lucky if after an encounter with one, you are left with all your belongings, and a smile, or even nonchalance. Our evolution, our struggle, has morphed us into a nation of Wastakians, that is to say, a nation of selfish bastards (you do not want to know the word I had in mind here), it is now rare and even a tad worrisome to meet a nice Wastakian (one without a very dark ulterior motive). What can be done to save Wastakia?

Innovation remains the key young person. If you are in college in Wastakia, studying for your undergraduate, masters, or PhD, you better be willing and ready to think outside the box. The world is fast paced.. and the kind of dynamism we are experiencing calls for superior solutions. Do not stand by or sit and wallow in your misery.. Find yourself and when you do.. make yourself such a unique entity there will be none to replace you. Dream bigger.. do not confine your dreams to the formulae of yesteryear for that does not work anymore. Wake up. Make your own means! Clearly nobody else will!!!

*Wastaki is a street lingo term from Zimbabwe. It can loosely mean 'all hell break loose"

]]>DIRE STRAIGHTSEconomic Freedom Fighters: South Africa’s new political forceSouth AfricaPoliticsElectionsPan ProjectSat, 15 Mar 2014 19:13:00 +0000http://www.publikaccessnetwork.com/panpolitics/2014/3/13/economic-freedom-fighters-south-africas-new-political-force52b489ede4b01176ccb429a3:531f9db2e4b0c65832262ff1:5321f56de4b078dc20a97bd9The ruling party, African National Congress boasts that it will only be
upstaged after the return of Jesus Christ. In February, the party’s youth
league was however forced to hastily organise a music festival a few
streets away from the launch ceremony of EFF’s election manifesto in
Tembisa. If this was meant to overshadow the launch, the opposite was
achieved. The 30 000 capacity Metlhareng stadium where EFF was launching
was over spilling before all delegates arrived. The official count is
reported to have been more than 50000.

Julius Malema leader of the EFF in SouthAfrica

by Thapelo Ndlovu

When asked by the programme anchor, Justice Malala about the potential and prospects of his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the South African, Julius Malema recounted an encounter; on his entrance into Malala’s Justice Factor interview, an eNCA cameraman had enquired about the procedures of joining EFF. According to Malema that brief inquisition reflected the popularity of his one year old red beret movement.

It is easy to dismiss his anecdote as mere campaign gloating a few months before the general elections; the common nodding however seems to suggest that EFF is unlike its older siblings in the opposition ranks. The truism- coming with a bang- seems an apt description of the way the political party toyi-toyied (marched) into the South African politics.

The ruling party, African National Congress boasts that it will only be upstaged after the return of Jesus Christ. In February, the party’s youth league was however forced to hastily organise a music festival a few streets away from the launch ceremony of EFF’s election manifesto in Tembisa. If this was meant to overshadow the launch, the opposite was achieved. The 30 000 capacity Metlhareng stadium where EFF was launching was over spilling before all delegates arrived. The official count is reported to have been more than 50000.

By the look of things it is only second to ANC, if not equal, in crowd command. With elections in May, could these numbers translate to votes and ultimate displace the ANC? The answer to this question would only be definite in the outcome of the elections. But serious mumblings are audible enough to make not only the ANC but the current leading opposition, Democratic Party, lose some buckets of sleep. Already there have been reported clashes between the ruling party and EFF cadres over the running of funerals and other politically relevant social ceremonies. EFF always ensures it has presence in every community disturbances in the country; at some point Malema had to deny accusations that his followers were distributing car tyres for burning in the street protests. The commander in chief himself has endeared himself with the community of Marikana, who were the victims of the worst post-apartheid police massacre in the country. When presenting his party manifesto Malema continued with one of his anecdotes: a young boy was sent on an errand to buy some stuff at a local grocery. He never returned!

“Your child was gunned down by the police,” a bystander informed the inquisitive family.

“No, that cannot be, our boy is not part of the street disturbances; we sent him to the grocery shop” insisted the parents, only to learn that indeed their child was shot by the police on his way from the store, carrying his shopping bags.

What works for him is that the stories are mostly true. Street disturbances in most parts of the country give credence to such stories. A Growing number of cases of police brutalities, at times shown on television, embolden Malema’s account that the police is no better than their apartheid counterparts.

For Malema it is about appealing to the downtrodden. He never finishes his address without mentioning the taxi drivers, cleaners, petrol attendants, waiters, waitresses, farm workers, and many other similar of the same ranks. In the party manifesto all these workers would have their wages almost doubled. In fact, according to EFF there will only be permanent workers once they assume power.

Socialist or militancy

Modeling himself after his idols in the likes of, among others, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Robert Mugabe, Peter Mokaba, Malema is no push over. Having suffered the humiliation of the public expulsion from his beloved ANC and the stripping of his bling-bling lifestyle, the young man did not just trip into a ditch of wilderness.

Towards his expulsion, Malema had already found a niche in the political space. Just when many were beginning to write him off, he organised a successful march under the banner of economic freedom to the suburban Sandton, presumably the epitome of South Africa’s capitalism. On hindsight, that was a glaring warning to the ANC, to dare touch him. The rest as the cliché goes is history. The Breitling watch gave way to the red beret!

According to him on June 11, 2012 a way forward was established to pick option number three and abandon the other two, which were: to continue seeking readmission into the ANC or to form a non- governmental organisation. On July 26 and 27, option number three, Economic Freedom Fighters was registered to partake in national elections. Its war cry became same issues that catapulted Malema out of the ANC; nationalisation of mines and expropriation of land without compensation. Only now the list has swollen to 7 cardinals that tell a story of socialism.

Expropriation of land without compensation brings back memories of the neighbouring Zimbabwe. Malema, an open student of Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean long time president, is a great admirer of the Zimbabwe land redistribution programme. This has brought him face to face with the white minority, who, however, command a superior ownership of vast fertile land in South Africa.

While nationalisation of mines has always been one of Malema’s priorities, it is the extension to 'banks and other strategic sectors of the economy' that is supposedly unsettling investors in the country. EFF promises to claim 60% of ownership in all these businesses, from which according to the commander in chief, the socialist state will roll in earnest.

This will effectively dent the ambition of the rising black businesses who are eagerly awaiting to emulate their white counterparts. Existing businesses can easily scale down their enterprises in anticipation of the impending changes or there could be drastic investor flight. It is therefore the local businessman who would have to face up with the economic freedom flaws encapsulated in the fabric of state domineering effects. Already the controversial Black Economic Empowerment would be discarded; this is probably one of the few areas that EFF could find patronage in the white citizenry.

With the prevalence of the words 'shall' and 'must' in the EFF manifesto, the state dominance in the country’s social and economic is inescapable.

It will also be of interest to observe EFF’s external relations. The party could already count out the neighbouring Botswana among its friends. With what Malema keeps on referring to as the Africa agenda, Botswana is pin pointed as a threat towards its achievement. This appears to have been inherited from the ANC, who have not confirmed it though. ANC has however chosen a rather diplomatic and careful approach devoid of rocking the boat. The party has gradually strengthened its relationship with Botswana Democratic Party. This Africa agenda does not come out very clear except the desire of South Africa to be a regional and continental power house in the same way USA is to the world. Botswana has proven to be a stubborn and reluctant accomplice; a Kuwait of the region. This obviously does not amuse the EFF.

Thapelo Ndlovuis a writer. His latest published work,Dear Power, Monologues- is a political satire on African leadership. His professional life spans across different sectors, government, NGO and private sector. He has been a teacher, journalist and above all a media and civil society activist. Ndlovu currently works part time as a sub editor for Botswana's only independent daily, Mmegi; runs his own online news magazine, Sniffdog hosted at www.thapeloindlovu.com and occasionally contribute to international websites such as ThinkAfricaPress, Community to protect journalists and has also contributed chapters to other books, notably, democracy index on Botswana by IDASA.